3 M A X E S D N U F I TA
★ ★
College of Nursing
N Department of Health Sciences
SCIENTIA · CURA · COMPASSIO
EST. 1908
Nursing Fundamentals — Examination #3 (ATI)
R E S P I R ATO R Y · C A R D I A C · S K I N I N T E G R I TY · I N F E C T I O N CO N T R O L · I V T H E R A P Y · A B G S
INSTITUTION College of Nursing COURSE CODE NURS 1101
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Nursing Fundamentals Exam 3 ATI TOTAL QUESTIONS 80+ Questions
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice & Select All That Apply —
ATI Style
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This ATI-style comprehensive exam covers respiratory, cardiac, skin/wound care, infection control, IV therapy, and acid-base
balance.
▸ Select the single best answer unless "Select all that apply" is indicated.
▸ Correct answers and clinical rationales appear below each question for NCLEX preparation.
▸ Normal lab values and clinical calculations follow current nursing practice standards.
SECTION I — RESPIRATORY: OXYGEN THERAPY, CHEST PT, SUCTIONING, Questions 1 –
ABGS 30
1. A nurse is performing chest percussion therapy on a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Perform chest percussion therapy six times per day.
B. Listen for a hollow sound when performing chest percussion therapy.
C. Use flat hands to perform chest percussion therapy.
D. Apply chest percussion therapy over the client's ribs.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Listen for a hollow sound when performing chest percussion therapy.
RATIONALE Correct percussion produces a hollow sound. A flat sound indicates improper technique. Percussion is done
with cupped hands, not flat hands, and is applied over the chest wall (avoiding ribs/spine). Frequency is
typically 2–4 times daily.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving supplemental oxygen for hypoxia. The nurse should identify that
which of the following can cause hypoxia?
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Smoke inhalation
C. Administration of a stimulant medication
D. Right-sided heart failure
CORRECT ANSWER B — Smoke inhalation
RATIONALE Smoke inhalation causes hypoxia by displacing oxygen with carbon monoxide (which binds hemoglobin
200× more avidly than O₂) and causing airway edema. DKA causes metabolic acidosis, not directly hypoxia.
Right-sided heart failure causes peripheral edema.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Edema of the lower extremities
C. A rapid, irregular heart rate
D. A systolic murmur
CORRECT ANSWER A — Crackles in the lungs
RATIONALE Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle cannot effectively pump
blood forward. Fluid backs up into the pulmonary circulation, causing crackles (rales) and dyspnea. Right-
sided failure causes peripheral edema and JVD.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has atelectasis. The nurse should identify that which of the following substances
is required to keep the client's alveoli from collapsing and causing atelectasis?
A. Lymphatic fluid
B. Oxygenated blood
C. Synovial fluid
D. Surfactant
CORRECT ANSWER D — Surfactant
RATIONALE Surfactant is a phospholipid produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension, preventing
alveolar collapse during exhalation. Surfactant deficiency (e.g., premature infants, ARDS) leads to
atelectasis.
5. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for a CPAP machine to treat obstructive
sleep apnea. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. "Use the CPAP mask during the daytime."
B. "Cover your nose with the CPAP mask."
C. "Medications to assist with breathing can be administered through the CPAP machine."
D. "You will need supplemental oxygen to use the CPAP machine."
CORRECT ANSWER B — "Cover your nose with the CPAP mask."
RATIONALE CPAP delivers continuous positive airway pressure via a mask covering the nose (or nose and mouth). It is
used during sleep, not daytime. CPAP does not deliver medications or require supplemental oxygen — it
uses room air to maintain airway patency.
, 6. A nurse is assisting with planning to measure the cardiac output of a client who had a myocardial infarction.
Which of the following data should the nurse use to calculate the client's cardiac output?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Blood pressure
C. Stroke volume
D. Vital capacity
CORRECT ANSWER C — Stroke volume
RATIONALE Cardiac output (CO) = Stroke volume (SV) × Heart rate (HR). Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected
per contraction. Normal CO is 4–8 L/min. Vital capacity is a respiratory measurement, not cardiac.
7. A nurse is assisting with planning care for a group of clients on a cardiopulmonary unit. Which of the following
clients should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A client who requires teaching about a new cholesterol-lowering medication
B. A client who reports dyspnea when walking to the bathroom
C. A client who has a new diagnosis of aortic valve stenosis and needs a referral to a cardiologist
D. A client who has asthma and is being discharged to home
CORRECT ANSWER B — A client who reports dyspnea when walking to the bathroom
RATIONALE Dyspnea on exertion indicates acute oxygenation impairment and requires immediate assessment (ABC
priority). Teaching, referrals, and discharge planning can be addressed after the client with acute symptoms
is stabilized.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who requires 1 L of oxygen. Which of the following oxygen delivery devices should the
nurse expect to use?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Partial rebreather mask
D. Simple face mask
CORRECT ANSWER A — Nasal cannula
RATIONALE A nasal cannula delivers 1–6 L/min (24–44% FiO₂). At 1 L/min, it provides approximately 24% FiO₂. Simple
face masks require a minimum of 6 L/min. Nonrebreather and partial rebreather masks are for higher
oxygen requirements.
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has an abdominal incision about coughing and deep breathing.
In which order should the nurse instruct the client to perform the following steps?
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Take a deep breath. 2. Hold your breath for several seconds. 3. Exhale slowly. 4. Brace the incision
with a pillow and try to cough deeply.
RATIONALE Deep breathing expands alveoli; holding breath allows gas exchange; slow exhalation prevents airway
collapse; splinting with a pillow reduces pain during coughing, making the cough more effective for
secretion clearance.
★ ★
College of Nursing
N Department of Health Sciences
SCIENTIA · CURA · COMPASSIO
EST. 1908
Nursing Fundamentals — Examination #3 (ATI)
R E S P I R ATO R Y · C A R D I A C · S K I N I N T E G R I TY · I N F E C T I O N CO N T R O L · I V T H E R A P Y · A B G S
INSTITUTION College of Nursing COURSE CODE NURS 1101
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Nursing Fundamentals Exam 3 ATI TOTAL QUESTIONS 80+ Questions
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice & Select All That Apply —
ATI Style
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ This ATI-style comprehensive exam covers respiratory, cardiac, skin/wound care, infection control, IV therapy, and acid-base
balance.
▸ Select the single best answer unless "Select all that apply" is indicated.
▸ Correct answers and clinical rationales appear below each question for NCLEX preparation.
▸ Normal lab values and clinical calculations follow current nursing practice standards.
SECTION I — RESPIRATORY: OXYGEN THERAPY, CHEST PT, SUCTIONING, Questions 1 –
ABGS 30
1. A nurse is performing chest percussion therapy on a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Perform chest percussion therapy six times per day.
B. Listen for a hollow sound when performing chest percussion therapy.
C. Use flat hands to perform chest percussion therapy.
D. Apply chest percussion therapy over the client's ribs.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Listen for a hollow sound when performing chest percussion therapy.
RATIONALE Correct percussion produces a hollow sound. A flat sound indicates improper technique. Percussion is done
with cupped hands, not flat hands, and is applied over the chest wall (avoiding ribs/spine). Frequency is
typically 2–4 times daily.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving supplemental oxygen for hypoxia. The nurse should identify that
which of the following can cause hypoxia?
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Smoke inhalation
C. Administration of a stimulant medication
D. Right-sided heart failure
CORRECT ANSWER B — Smoke inhalation
RATIONALE Smoke inhalation causes hypoxia by displacing oxygen with carbon monoxide (which binds hemoglobin
200× more avidly than O₂) and causing airway edema. DKA causes metabolic acidosis, not directly hypoxia.
Right-sided heart failure causes peripheral edema.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Edema of the lower extremities
C. A rapid, irregular heart rate
D. A systolic murmur
CORRECT ANSWER A — Crackles in the lungs
RATIONALE Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle cannot effectively pump
blood forward. Fluid backs up into the pulmonary circulation, causing crackles (rales) and dyspnea. Right-
sided failure causes peripheral edema and JVD.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has atelectasis. The nurse should identify that which of the following substances
is required to keep the client's alveoli from collapsing and causing atelectasis?
A. Lymphatic fluid
B. Oxygenated blood
C. Synovial fluid
D. Surfactant
CORRECT ANSWER D — Surfactant
RATIONALE Surfactant is a phospholipid produced by type II alveolar cells that reduces surface tension, preventing
alveolar collapse during exhalation. Surfactant deficiency (e.g., premature infants, ARDS) leads to
atelectasis.
5. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for a CPAP machine to treat obstructive
sleep apnea. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. "Use the CPAP mask during the daytime."
B. "Cover your nose with the CPAP mask."
C. "Medications to assist with breathing can be administered through the CPAP machine."
D. "You will need supplemental oxygen to use the CPAP machine."
CORRECT ANSWER B — "Cover your nose with the CPAP mask."
RATIONALE CPAP delivers continuous positive airway pressure via a mask covering the nose (or nose and mouth). It is
used during sleep, not daytime. CPAP does not deliver medications or require supplemental oxygen — it
uses room air to maintain airway patency.
, 6. A nurse is assisting with planning to measure the cardiac output of a client who had a myocardial infarction.
Which of the following data should the nurse use to calculate the client's cardiac output?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Blood pressure
C. Stroke volume
D. Vital capacity
CORRECT ANSWER C — Stroke volume
RATIONALE Cardiac output (CO) = Stroke volume (SV) × Heart rate (HR). Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected
per contraction. Normal CO is 4–8 L/min. Vital capacity is a respiratory measurement, not cardiac.
7. A nurse is assisting with planning care for a group of clients on a cardiopulmonary unit. Which of the following
clients should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A client who requires teaching about a new cholesterol-lowering medication
B. A client who reports dyspnea when walking to the bathroom
C. A client who has a new diagnosis of aortic valve stenosis and needs a referral to a cardiologist
D. A client who has asthma and is being discharged to home
CORRECT ANSWER B — A client who reports dyspnea when walking to the bathroom
RATIONALE Dyspnea on exertion indicates acute oxygenation impairment and requires immediate assessment (ABC
priority). Teaching, referrals, and discharge planning can be addressed after the client with acute symptoms
is stabilized.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who requires 1 L of oxygen. Which of the following oxygen delivery devices should the
nurse expect to use?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Partial rebreather mask
D. Simple face mask
CORRECT ANSWER A — Nasal cannula
RATIONALE A nasal cannula delivers 1–6 L/min (24–44% FiO₂). At 1 L/min, it provides approximately 24% FiO₂. Simple
face masks require a minimum of 6 L/min. Nonrebreather and partial rebreather masks are for higher
oxygen requirements.
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has an abdominal incision about coughing and deep breathing.
In which order should the nurse instruct the client to perform the following steps?
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Take a deep breath. 2. Hold your breath for several seconds. 3. Exhale slowly. 4. Brace the incision
with a pillow and try to cough deeply.
RATIONALE Deep breathing expands alveoli; holding breath allows gas exchange; slow exhalation prevents airway
collapse; splinting with a pillow reduces pain during coughing, making the cough more effective for
secretion clearance.
